How to explain AI: Impact & Engagement Case for the Participatory and Collaborative Development of an Artistic Intervention to Promote AI Literacy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) affects us all. The more far-reaching and promising AI technologies become, the more important it is for people to gain a basic understanding of AI in order to benefit from technological advances. However, studies show a lack of so-called AI literacy among the general population, which can induce uncertainties and reduce motivation to engage with the topic.

The project “How to explain AI” (2022-2024) explored informative, innovative and creative methods of knowledge transfer by involving citizen scientists, artists and AI experts as co-researchers in a series of participatory workshops. In addition, several interactive events and performances were carried out to facilitate conversation on the topic of AI, encourage people to reflect, share ideas and insights and alleviate uncertainties by gaining a basic level of AI literacy. Impact was observed on several levels: The co-researchers themselves reported increased interest in issues related to AI through their participation in and subsequent connection to the project. Second, the local population was impacted via the release of the AI song, as well as several interventions, which offered the opportunity for members of the public to directly engage with the topic of AI.